San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-01-06
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE TAy.
ERN KEEPER.

! COPIED from scrap-book of forty years
ago, credited to the Baltimore American.
While this distinguished statesman and
patri It was Vice. President Of the United
States, it was customary for the individual
holding the said Off 20 TO attend to business
more in person than the re6nements of mod
ern times will allow. 1t happened on one
occasion that some important matter re
quired his attention in Philadelphia. ant
some other places, distant from the Capital
In those days a journey to Philadelphia wa'
not to be performed In few hours-it was
two or three days travel, and not of the
most pleasant sort. either, On his return
he stopped in Baltimore; it was about foul
or five in the afternoon, when the Vice
President rode up suitieSs and unattended to
the tavern. A Scytchman by the name OF
Boyden kept the hotel, of late 50 much i'm.
proved and now so handsomely sustained
by our worthy townsmau, Mr.. Belizhoover.
The bucks of the town were assembled in
the large hall, smoking, struttng, cracking
Jokes, and otherwise indulging in the eject
eras OF tue day. Boyden was Mt tho bar eX-
aiming his books and doubtless making
cal ,ulations IN reference TO his future pros
pects Jefferson had dove ed his horse
into the hands Of tho ostler, and walked
into the tavern to make the arrangements
| in regard 10 his fare. Some one touched
Boyden upon the shonlder and directed his
attention towards the stranger, who was
stlnding with whip in hand, striking It oc'
casionnly against his muddy leggius. Boy
den turned round and surveyed him from
head TO foot and concluding him to be an
old farmer from the country. whose COM
pany would add ne credit to the house, he
siid abruptly, 1--WE havd 10 room for you
i SIR"
Jefferson did not hear tho remark, nnd
asked if he could be accommodated with Il
room. His voice, which was commanding
aud attractive, oclasioned another survey of
his person, by the honest proprietor of the
house, whose only care was for reputation.
He could not fnd, however, in his PLAN
dress, pretty well covered with mud, any
thing indicating wealth or distinction. and
in his usual rough style, he said "A room?"
jefferson replied, "Yes, sir; should like
a room to myself, If can get it,"
"A room all to yourself? No, no; we have
no room; there is not spare room in the
house; nll full; cannot accommodate you
any way in TIE world"
Mr.. Jefferson turned upon his heels,
called for his horse, " ich by this time was
snug in the stable, mounted and rode oil.
In u few moments one of the most wealthy
and distinguished men of the town came in
and asked for the gentleman who rode up
to the door few minutes before.
"Gentleman?" said Boyden
"Yes. the ge tlcman who came up this
iustnnt."
"Thero has been no gentleman here to-
day, aud no stranger Mt all, but oae com
mon, country-loolSng fellow who came in
and asked if he could have IL whole room;
but / asked him out of that mighty quick,
tell you--I told him ] had no room for
such chaps as him. No room for anyone
that don't look respectable"
'Why, what are you talking about, man?
He's tue Vice. President of the United
States"
"Vice. President of the United States!"
ex2laimed Boy almost breathless III as
toni ,hmfnt
"Why, yes, sir; Thomas Jefferson the
Vice President of the United States, and
the greatest man alivem
Murder! whit have doneY Ilore, Tom,
jim, Jerry, Jack, where are you al? Here,
fy, You villains! Fly and tell that gentle
nau we have forty rooms at his service!
Vice President. Thomas JeTerson tell him
to come back and he shall have my wlfe's
parlor-my own room, What have / done?
Here, Harriet Mary. julie, clear out the
family! He shall have the best room, asd
ali the rooms if ho wants them. Put clean
sheets ou tho bed. Bill, take up The mir
ror: George, hurry up th boot-ja-k. What
II mistake"
For fifteen inmates Boydon rav2d like
mad-man, and went fifty times TO the door
to see if his wshed-for guest was returning.
The Vice-Presldent rode up to Market
street, where he was recognized by many
of his old acquaintanccs, AMI by them di-
rected to the Globe Tavern, which stood
some " here near the corner of Maria and
Charles streets Here Boyden's servants
came up and told him their IN lster had
provided rooms for him
Tell him have engaged n ROOM" said
ofrorso1.
Poor Boyden's modification can be better
Imagined than described. The chaps who
were lettering about the bar and large hall,
aud hal laughed heartily At the disappOlnt-
mchl Oh tue InuduF hIher, ntu TecONSi'u
from their establishment, and were prepnr-
ing to laugh at their downcast landlord.
After ONE time he prevailed upon some
friend t0wait upon Mr.. Jefferson with his
apology, and request that he should return
and take lodgings at his house, promising
the best rooms. and that all attention should
be given him.
Mr. Jefferson returned the following an
swer: "rell Mr.. Boyden ] appreciate his
kin1 intentions; but if he had no room for
the muddy farmer, he shall have no room
for me-"